Cover Sri Lankan crab curry at Ceylon Crab House (Photo: Ceylon Crab House)
Sri Lankan crab curry at Ceylon Crab House (Photo: Ceylon Crab House)
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Break a leg when visiting these restaurants that serve popular crab dishes
Delicate, fragrant, and meaty, there are a few things not to love about crab. Here in the Klang Valley, we are spoiled for choice with myriad dishes that put the crustacean in the spotlight.
From aromatic chilli crab mopped up with crispy mantou (fried Chinese buns) and luscious Jaffna crab curry to the trending salt-baked crab and beloved crab fried rice, here are five popular crab dishes in town and the restaurants where you can get your hands on a claw or two. Happy eating!
Read more: The best Malay restaurants and eateries in Singapore, according to Khir Johari
Sri Lankan crab curry
Restaurants championing Sri Lankan crab curries have been popping up throughout Kuala Lumpur, from The Lankan Crabs and Ceylon Crab House to Aliyaa and Yarl. Made with fragrant spices including coriander, cumin, and fennel seeds, whole crabs are cooked to perfection at the establishments. Authentic Jaffna-style crab curry is available at all four restaurants, best paired with a side of appam or rice to mop up the curry sauce.
The Lankan Crabs, 4, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2201 0128
Ceylon Crab House, Lot G1, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, +603 2011 6882
Aliyaa, 48 G&M, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, +6017 883 3738
Yarl, Multiple locations, Instagram / @yarlrestaurant
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Chilli crab
Mud crabs are stir-fried in a sweet-savoury sauce made with chilli and tomato to make the beloved chilli crab. The thickened sauce coats the crab's meat, and is typically served with a plate of mantou (fried Chinese buns). Popular locations for the dish in the Klang Valley include Unique Seafood, South Sea Seafood, Xigong Seafood Restaurant, and Restaurant Udang King.
Unique Seafood, 9B-3, Jalan Kemajuan 12/18, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, +603 7960 2088
South Sea Seafood, 229, Jalan Dua A, U 5, 40150 Shah Alam, +6012 782 2830
Xigong Seafood Restaurant, 21-23, Jalan Helang Sewah, Taman Seri Kepong Baru, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, +603 6273 2242
Restaurant Udang King, 1, Seni, Changkat Duta Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, +603 6203 1823
Crab fried rice
Comforting Thai-style crab fried rice can be found at most of the Klang Valley’s iconic Thai restaurants. While the signature crab fried rice at Gai by Darren Chin is made with basmati rice, an omelette, and seafood nam jim sauce, the version at Kompassion is lightly seasoned and is best paired with the selection of curries. The dish is also available at both La Moon Thai Restaurant and Bamboo Hills’ Nok Yung Thai Cuisine.
Gai by Darren Chin, 26A, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, +603 7732 4406
Kompassion, 5, Jalan SS 20/11, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya, +6018 289 6953
La Moon Thai, 2-1, Greens Terrace, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, +6012 289 5575
Nok Yung Thai Cuisine, 02-01, Taman Bukit Bambu, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, +6017 994 7686
Salt baked crab
You might have seen the viral video on Tik Tok and Instagram of large crabs being prepared in a wok filled with salt. Salt works to insulate the meat, allowing the crabs to cook evenly without becoming overcooked. While the salt baked crab stall featured in the video rotates around various night markets such as SS2 Pasar Malam and Taman Connaught Pasar Malam, the dish can also be found at Delay No More Crab Restaurant.
Delay No More Crab Restaurant, P2 Hartamas Shopping Centre, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, +603 6211 7112
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Kam Heong crab
“Kam heong” translates directly into “golden fragrance”, and for a good reason. The Malaysian favourite is made with soy sauce and oyster sauce as well as curry powder and curry leaves. It can be found at various seafood restaurants around the Klang Valley, including Fatty Crab Restaurant, Ketam Viral, and Hokkaido Seafood Restaurant.
Fatty Crab Restaurant, 2, Jalan SS 24/13, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, +603 7804 5758
Ketam Viral, 1-11, Sunway Gandaria, 2, Jalan Pusat Bandar, Seksyen 9, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, +6012 580 5113
Hokkaido Seafood Restaurant, 68, Jalan Lumut, Titiwangsa Sentral, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, +6012 343 8039
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About
Katelyn is the dining and travel editor of Malaysia and Indonesia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she offers readers an inside look at the movers and shakers in Asia’s growing food and beverage industry.
